Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision on Janus v. AFSCME, determining that public sector unions can no longer collect fair share dues from employees who opt not to belong to a union—even though the union is required by law to represent workers in union jobs:

“Today, at a time when income inequality is on the rise and families are finding it harder to make ends meet, strong unions are desperately needed because they raise the tide for all workers—members and nonmembers alike. For generations, it has been labor unions that have led the fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Today’s decision is a blow to hardworking people everywhere.”